BGB DG condemns border killings, warns of tougher stance

Border killings are never acceptable, said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Saturday. He emphasised that those who illegally infiltrate from India are arrested and smoothly handed over within the framework of the law, but he questioned how long this will be possible.

He made this remark after inaugurating four units, including the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB), at the BGB Cox’s Bazar Battalion Training Ground. Also present at the event was the Ministry of Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

When asked if border killings were discussed during the recent BGB-BSF Director General level meeting in Delhi, Major General Siddique confirmed that it was the primary topic. Regarding the recent death of a youth in the Kasba border area of Brahmanbaria due to BSF gunfire, he mentioned that BGB had lodged a strong protest with the BSF Headquarters and at the location of the incident.

He stated that after the BGB-BSF meeting, the incident was unfortunate. "We are trying our utmost to prevent illegal crossings into India," he added. "However, after our strong protest, we received images showing a group of 15-20 people attempting to cross into India illegally. When the BSF intervened, a clash occurred between the two sides."

The BGB Director General further explained that during the clash, the BSF fired rubber bullets, one of which struck the youth in a vulnerable area. Despite being rushed to a hospital and undergoing surgery, the youth could not be saved. "It is unfortunate," he said.

He reiterated that border killings are entirely unacceptable. "We have made it clear that this is not acceptable in any way. If we allow such actions to continue, how long will we be able to arrest and hand over Indian infiltrators lawfully?" he questioned.

He emphasised that whether it concerns illegal infiltration or any other issue, killings can never be the final solution. "If another killing occurs, we will adopt an even tougher stance in the future. I want to assure everyone of this," he concluded.